Please Don't Move to Melbourne
| "Please Don't Move to Melbourne" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Ball Park Music | ||||
| from the album Like Love | ||||
| Released | 6 February 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2024 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, indie pop | |||
| Label | Prawn Records | |||
| Songwriter | Sam Cromack | |||
| Ball Park Music singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Please Don't Move to Melbourne" is a song by Australian indie rock band Ball Park Music. It was released on 6 February 2025 as the second single from their eighth studio album, Like Love.[1]
Background and meaning
The song was written by Ball Park Music frontman Sam Cromack and originated several years prior to its official release. Cromack has stated that the chorus was written long before the band began work on Like Love, and it was later revisited and expanded during the album's recording sessions.[2]
Despite its title, Cromack has explained that the song is not intended as a criticism of Melbourne. Instead, the city name functions as a stand-in for the broader experience of watching close friends or loved ones move away. He stated that the sentiment of the song would remain the same regardless of the city referenced.[3]
Music video
The music video for "Please Don't Move to Melbourne" was directed by guitarist Dean Hanson and filmed in Brisbane. It features numerous references to local landmarks and venues and has been described as a tongue-in-cheek homage to the band's hometown.[4]
Reception
The song received strong airplay on Australian radio following its release and was widely discussed in Australian music media for its contrast between upbeat instrumentation and emotionally vulnerable lyrics.[5]
Triple J Hottest 100
"Please Don't Move to Melbourne" was voted into the Triple J Hottest 100, 2025, placing at number 10 in the countdown.[6]
Credits and personnel
- Sam Cromack – vocals, guitar, songwriting
- Ball Park Music – performance
- Dean Hanson – music video director
References
- ^ "Ball Park Music announce new album Like Love, share Please Don't Move to Melbourne". The AU Review. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Ball Park Music return with Please Don't Move to Melbourne". The Note. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "People have misconstrued the song – are Ball Park Music actually anti-Melbourne?". The Music. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Ball Park Music celebrate Brisbane in Please Don't Move to Melbourne video". The Live Wire. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Album Review: Ball Park Music – Like Love". The Live Wire. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "triple j Hottest 100 – 2025". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 January 2026.